Chinese Crypto Miner Bitmain to Open US Factory Following Trump Tariff Actions

Bitmain Technologies Ltd., the Beijing-based manufacturer that dominates global crypto mining hardware sales, is preparing to open its first production facility in the United States. The move comes as the company navigates a complex trade environment and rising political efforts to reposition the U.S. as a central hub for Bitcoin mining.

The expansion marks a turning point for Bitmain, which has led the market for crypto mining machines since 2013. The company is setting up local operations to reduce delivery times and ease maintenance support for U.S. clients, according to Bitmain’s president of mining and global business chief Gao. Despite higher labor costs, Bitmain sees clear advantages in operating within U.S. borders—especially as shipping delays and trade restrictions continue to weigh on Chinese exports.

This manufacturing move follows a string of disruptions. Since 2018, U.S.-China trade tensions have complicated Bitmain's access to American buyers. Customs and Border Protection have held up shipments, and in early 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce blacklisted Bitmain's AI-focused subsidiary, alleging links to China’s efforts to develop advanced chips. While the company’s core crypto hardware business wasn't included on the blacklist, the scrutiny has increased.

Further political pressure has emerged with Donald Trump’s 2024 election campaign and post-victory messaging. Trump pledged to expand domestic Bitcoin mining, framing it as a national security issue and a path to energy independence. Shortly after his win, Bitmain publicly confirmed its U.S. plant plans—though it has not disclosed the site’s location.

Bitmain Prepares US Facility to Improve Service for American Clients

Bitmain is preparing to hire 250 U.S.-based workers in the first phase of the rollout. These workers will be trained in both the assembly of mining machines and facility-level operations, indicating a full-scale manufacturing presence rather than simple warehousing or distribution.

This development is not happening in isolation. U.S.-based mining companies, many of them publicly traded, have become dominant players since China’s 2021 crackdown on domestic mining. Firms like Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA), Riot Platforms, and CleanSpark now represent tens of billions in market value. As a result, the U.S. has emerged as the world’s primary Bitcoin mining center—fueled by cheap energy in certain states and political backing in others.

Bitmain’s biggest customer in this shift appears to be American Bitcoin Corp., a new mining venture launched with backing from Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., in partnership with Hut 8 and other investors. In November 2024, Hut 8 ordered more than 31,000 Bitmain mining machines, to be delivered in early 2025. The scale of that order underlines Bitmain’s continuing dominance in the hardware segment, even as competitors like Block Inc. and Auradine try to develop domestic alternatives.

A Calculated Move to Secure Market Access and Political Favor

Bitmain’s decision to manufacture in the U.S. is both a defensive and strategic play. With Chinese firms under regulatory pressure, supply chains have become fragile, and policymakers in Washington are increasingly wary of Chinese technology companies. U.S. regulators have yet to confirm whether mining hardware will fall under the same export restrictions as AI chips, but uncertainty alone has pushed Bitmain to act preemptively.

By opening a U.S. facility, Bitmain may sidestep future sanctions or export bans that could threaten its access to the American market. The company also positions itself as a job creator, which may help it gain support from local governments and lawmakers even amid broader U.S.-China tensions.

Bitmain’s hardware remains unmatched in efficiency and cost-per-unit, thanks to years of proprietary chip development. While several U.S. firms have started building mining equipment, none currently match Bitmain’s scale, pricing, or global distribution network. The U.S. plant could serve to reinforce that lead—provided the company can navigate legal, political, and public scrutiny in the months ahead.

US-China Trade Tensions Drive Rethink of Supply Chain Strategies

Bitmain’s production has long been concentrated in Southeast Asia, taking advantage of cost efficiencies and favorable logistics. But the Trump administration is pushing for stricter trade barriers, including tariffs and sanctions aimed at protecting critical technology sectors. Manufacturing in Southeast Asia may soon carry the same risks as sourcing directly from China.

In this climate, American production offers stability. It also aligns with the White House’s stated goal of bringing strategic technologies back onshore—especially in industries tied to energy consumption, data infrastructure, and digital sovereignty.

The U.S. plant is part of a broader industry transformation. Mining hardware is no longer a purely technical product—it is now entangled with geopolitics, national security arguments, and economic influence. Bitmain’s relocation signals an understanding of this new reality and a willingness to adapt rather than resist.

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